Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:19 pm on 1 April 1996.
Does the Home Secretary agree that this is a draconian measure? If it is logical to rush it through the House tomorrow, so that it is in place for the Easter recess—as the Home Secretary said—would it not be logical to time-limit the Act so that it lasted for only three months? The House would then be able to return to it and legislate more slowly and more carefully. The powers to stop and search and the powers to stop people having access to their own homes are draconian. It would be logical to scrutinise such powers very carefully.